"Let Me Call You Sweetheart" is a

popular Popularity or social status is the quality of being well liked, admired or well known to a particular group. Popular may also refer to: In sociology * Popular culture * Popular fiction * Popular music * Popular science * Populace, the total ...

song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...

, with music by

Leo Friedman Leo Friedman (July 16, 1869 - March 7, 1927) was an American composer of popular music. Friedman was born in Elgin, Illinois and died in Chicago, Illinois. He is best remembered for composing the sentimental waltz "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" w ...

and lyrics by

Beth Slater Whitson Beth Slater Whitson (December 1, 1879 – April 26, 1930) was an American lyricist. She was born on December 1, 1879, in Goodrich, Tennessee and died on April 26, 1930. She was the daughter of John H. Whitson and Anna Slater Whitson. Her Fathe ...

. The song was published in 1910 and was a huge hit for the

Peerless Quartet The Peerless Quartet was an American vocal group that recorded in the early years of the twentieth century. They formed to record for Columbia Records, where they were credited as the Columbia Quartet or Columbia Male Quartet. From about 1907, wh ...

in 1911. A recording by Arthur Clough was very popular the same year too. A 1924 recording identifies a Spanish title, "Déjame llamarte mía". The song's recording was selected by the

Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library ...

as a 2015 addition to the

National Recording Registry The National Recording Registry is a list of sound recordings that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States." The registry was established by the National Recording Preservati ...

, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Lyrics

The complete lyrics of the 1911 recording:

Other notable recordings

* Bing Crosby – recorded August 8, 1934 and on July 17, 1944. *

Denny Dennis Denny Dennis (1 November 1913 in Derby – 2 November 1993 in Barrow-in-Furness) was a British romantic vocalist during the 1930s to the 1950s, when British dance bands were at the peak of their popularity. He was a band singer, a solo recording s ...

(1941) – later included in the compilation LP ''Yours for a Song'' issued in 1969. *

Joni James Giovanna Carmella Babbo (September 22, 1930 – February 20, 2022), known professionally as Joni James, was an American singer of traditional pop music. Biography Giovanna Carmella Babbo was born to an Italian-American family in Chicago, Illino ...

– for her album ''Among My Souvenirs'' (1958). *

The Mills Brothers The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed the Four Mills Brothers, and originally known as the Four Kings of Harmony, were an American jazz and traditional pop vocal quartet who made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies an ...

– included in their album ''Greatest Barbershop Hits'' (1959). *

Pat Boone Patrick Charles Eugene Boone (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer and actor. He was a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He sold more than 45 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and appeared in mo ...

and Shirley Boone – included in the album ''Side by Side'' (1959). * Patti Page – for her album ''I've Heard That Song Before'' (1958). *

Timi Yuro Rosemary Victoria Yuro (August 4, 1940 – March 30, 2004), known professionally as Timi Yuro, was an American singer-songwriter. Sometimes called "the little girl with the big voice," she is considered to be one of the first blue-eyed soul sty ...

- The tiltle track from the "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" (Liberty Records 7234, 1962) - This recording went to #66 on the US Hot 100, and #15 on the Easy Listening chart. *

Fats Domino Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017), known as Fats Domino, was an American pianist, singer and songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Born in New O ...

- recorded February 15, 1965. *

Slim Whitman Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr. (January 20, 1923 – June 19, 2013), known as Slim Whitman, was an American country music singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his yodeling abilities and his use of falsetto. He claimed he had sold in excess of ...

– included in his album '' Red River Valley'' (1977). *

Valerie Carter Valerie Gail Zakian Carter (February 5, 1953 – March 4, 2017) was an American singer. Biography Carter began her career singing in coffeehouses as a teenager, and eventually became one-third of the country-folk band Howdy Moon. Though they de ...

and

Linda Ronstadt Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is a retired American singer who performed and recorded in diverse genres including rock, country, light opera, the Great American Songbook, and Latin. She has earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American ...

– Barney Reprise

Film and TV appearances

*1932 ''Let Me Call You Sweetheart'' –

Ethel Merman Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer, known for her distinctive, powerful voice, and for leading roles in musical theatre.Obituary '' Variety'', February 22, 1984. ...

sings the song accompanied by a bouncing ball in a Screen Song produced by Fleischer Studios, featuring Betty Boop and

Bimbo Bimbo is slang for a conventionally attractive, sexualized, naive, and unintelligent woman. The term was originally used in the United States as early as 1919 for an unintelligent or brutish man. As of the early 21st century, the "stereotypic ...

*1936 ''

Mickey's Rival ''Mickey's Rival'' is a 1936 Mickey Mouse short film. It was directed by Wilfred Jackson and produced by Walt Disney. It introduces the character of Mortimer Mouse. It was the 84th Mickey Mouse short film to be released, the fifth of that year. ...

'' –

Minnie Mouse Minnie Mouse is a cartoon character created by The Walt Disney Company. As the longtime sweetheart of Mickey Mouse, she is an anthropomorphic mouse with white gloves, a bow, polka-dotted dress, white bloomers, and low-heeled shoes occasiona ...

hums it and

Mickey Mickey is a given name and nickname, almost always masculine and often a short form (hypocorism) of Michael, and occasionally a surname. Notable people and characters with the name include: People Given name or nickname Men * Mickey Andrews (bor ...

whistles it while setting up their picnic, then part of the melody plays in the background at the end of the short *1937 '' Hearts Are Thumps'' – Alfalfa ( Carl Switzer) sings the song to Darla Hood in this episode of The Little Rascals *1937 '' Make Way for Tomorrow'' –

Victor Moore Victor Fred Moore (February 24, 1876 – July 23, 1962) was an American actor of stage and screen, a major Broadway star from the late 1920s through the 1930s. He was also a writer and director, but is best remembered today as a comedian, play ...

sings the song with

Beulah Bondi Beulah Bondi (born Beulah Bondy; May 3, 1889 – January 11, 1981)According to the State of California. ''California Death Index, 1940–1997''. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. At ...

, and the film ends with an instrumental rendition plays into the credits *1938 '' Swiss Miss'' – sung by Oliver Hardy *1940 ''

Waterloo Bridge Waterloo Bridge () is a road and foot traffic bridge crossing the River Thames in London, between Blackfriars Bridge and Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges. Its name commemorates the victory of the British, Dutch and Prussians at t ...

'' *1943 ''

Thousands Cheer ''Thousands Cheer'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film directed by George Sidney and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Produced at the height of the Second World War, the film was intended as a morale booster for American troops and their fam ...

'' – sung by Gene Kelly whilst dancing with a mop *1945 '' Diamond Horseshoe'' – performed by

Beatrice Kay Beatrice Kay (April 21, 1907– November 8, 1986) was an American singer, vaudevillian, music hall performer, and stage and film actress. Background Born in New York City as Hannah Beatrice Kuper, Kay performed as Honey Kuper and Honey Day fo ...

*1948 ''

For the Love of Mary ''For the Love of Mary'' is a 1948 American romantic comedy film directed by Frederick de Cordova and starring Deanna Durbin, Edmond O'Brien, Don Taylor, and Jeffrey Lynn. Written by Oscar Brodney, the film is about a young woman who takes a jo ...

'' *1966 '' Follow Me, Boys!'' – sung by a group of

Boy Scouts Boy Scouts may refer to: * Boy Scout, a participant in the Boy Scout Movement. * Scouting, also known as the Boy Scout Movement. * An organisation in the Scouting Movement, although many of these organizations also have female members. There are ...

*1975 ''

The Waltons ''The Waltons'' is an American historical drama television series about a family in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. It was created by Earl Hamner Jr., based on his 1961 book '' Spencer's Mountain'' and the 1963 fil ...

'' S03E20 – The Shivaree – sung to the Newlyweds by a group headed by Ike *1979 '' The Rose'' – sung by Bette Midler *1979 '' General Hospital Scotty and Laura Wedding'' – sung by attendees *1982 ''

'' - A Day of Thanks on Walton's Mountain - sung just before the closing credits *1984 ''

Hart to Hart ''Hart to Hart'' is an American mystery television series that premiered on August 25, 1979, on ABC. The show stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, respectively, a wealthy couple who lead a glamorous jetset life ...

'' – sung to each other by

Robert Wagner Robert John Wagner Jr. (born February 10, 1930) is an American actor of stage, screen, and television. He is known for starring in the television shows '' It Takes a Thief'' (1968–1970), ''Switch'' (1975–1978), and '' Hart to Hart'' (1979� ...

and Stefanie Powers at the end of the fifth-season episode entitled "Max's Waltz" *1995 ''

America's Funniest Home Videos ''America's Funniest Home Videos'', also called ''America's Funniest Videos'' (abbreviated as ''AFV''), is an American video clip television series on ABC, based on the Japanese variety show ''Fun TV with Kato-chan and Ken-chan''. The show featur ...

'' - sung by Ken Moore in the winning video Sweetheart Singing Proposal *1998 ''

Barney's Great Adventure ''Barney's Great Adventure'' (also known by its promotional title ''Barney's Great Adventure: The Movie'') is a 1998 musical comedy adventure film based on the children's television series ''Barney & Friends'', featuring Barney the Dinosaur in ...

'' – performed by

George Hearn George Hearn (born June 18, 1934) is an American actor and singer, primarily in Broadway musical theatre. Early years Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Hearn studied philosophy at Southwestern at Memphis, now Rhodes College before he embarked on ...

*2005 '' The Greatest Game Ever Played'' – an instrumental version by a band is heard on the soundtrack *2012 ''

Downton Abbey ''Downton Abbey'' is a British historical drama television series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. The series first aired in the United Kingdom on ITV on 26 September 2010 and in the United States o ...

'' – sung by Shirley MacLaine *2014 ''

52 Tuesdays ''52 Tuesdays'' is a 2013 Australian coming of age drama film directed by Sophie Hyde, with the screenplay written by Matthew Cormack and story by Cormack and Hyde. The film centres on a teenage girl dealing with the gender transition of a paren ...

'' – used over the end credits in this Australian film about a transgender father and his daughter Billie *2014 ''

When Calls the Heart ''When Calls the Heart'' is an American television drama series, inspired by Janette Oke's book of the same name from her ''Canadian West series'', and developed by Michael Landon Jr. The series began airing on the Hallmark Channel in the Uni ...

'' – sung by Pascale Hutton in Season 2 Episode 4 *2017 ''

Adventure Time ''Adventure Time'' is an American fantasy animated television series created by Pendleton Ward for Cartoon Network and distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television. The series follows the adventures of a boy named Finn (Jeremy Shada) and ...

'' – used in Season 9 Elements episode sung by Candy Kingdom characters *2020 '' Murdoch Mysteries'' - used in Season 13 Episode 17 "Things Left Behind", sung by the character Dr. Andrew Dixon

References

External links

''Heritage of Harmony''
barbershop version
Sheet Music for "Let Me Call You Sweetheart"
Harold Rossiter Music Co., 1910.
1924 recording
by tenor Lewis James and the International Novelty Orchestra, in the

National Jukebox The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library ...

(uses Flash)
1930 cartoon
Ethel Merman sings in a Betty Boop cartoon *"Let Me Call You Sweetheart" essa

by David Sager
"Let Me Call You Sweetheart" (1911)
on the

website. {{authority control 1910 songs Songs with lyrics by Beth Slater Whitson Songs with music by Leo Friedman United States National Recording Registry recordings

Lyrics

Other notable recordings

Film and TV appearances

See also

References

External links